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Raphael, Christ and Peter |
Matthew 16
The Demand for a Sign
1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
Oh Lord, give us your wisdom in the time of testing.
ESV Notes, they came to test him. They were seeking a sign or miracle which they could use against him.
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees
5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Jesus is speaking metaphorically, The yeast of the Pharisees can infiltrate and ruin what is good. But the disciples are preoccupied with their physical needs.
An amazing passage. A very short time after the feeding of four thousand from a few loaves, they have totally forgotten it, and are again concerned about the lack of bread.
Faith can waver, can fail. We continually forget the mighty works of God. That is why the word of God is likened to food, which we need to eat again and again so that it provides stable and reliable nourishment.
We can see mighty miracles and be full of fear and unbelief at the next crisis. Lord, strengthen our faith.
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
ESV Jesus is is the fulfillment of the OT promise of a divine son as anointed King.
Blessed, Greek Makarios. Jesus is not conferring blessing so much as acknowledging Peter’s condition of being privileged to benefit from God’s personal revelation.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
NIV note–Perhaps Peter used these keys on the day of Pentecost, when he announced that the door of the kingdom was unlocked to Jews and proselytes, and later when he acknowledged that it was also opened to Gentiles.
Peter is given the authority to admit entrance into the kingdom through preaching the Gospel.
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
NIV note–Authority not to determine but to announce guilt or innocence.
20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Because of the false concepts of the Jews who looked for an exclusively national and political Messiah, Jesus didn’t want to precipitate a revolution against Rome.